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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh {Review}

Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh

Kindle Edition, 382 pages

Published
September 19th 2017
by Waterfall Press

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Courtney Walsh returns with a hopeful and emotional new book about
seizing second chances, finding yourself, and forging your own path.Beth Whitaker isn’t supposed to be a small-town girl. She’s
always dreamed of leaving Willow Grove, Illinois, for the big city, but
she feels trapped, struggling to make up for a mistake that’s haunted
her for years. Just when Beth is finally ready to break free, her sister
impulsively buys a beloved but run-down farm on the outskirts of town,
and she begs Beth to help with the restoration. Reluctantly, Beth agrees
to help—and puts her own dreams on hold once again.

Drew Barlow
hasn’t been back to Fairwind Farm since he was a boy, and he’s spent all
these years trying to outrun the pain of a past he thought he buried
long ago. When he learns that the owner has passed away, his heart knows
it’s finally time to do the right thing. Returning to Willow Grove,
Drew revisits the old farm, where he attempts to piece together his
memories and the puzzle of the crime he witnessed so long ago.

Both
on a journey to find peace, Beth and Drew are surprised when they begin
to experience a restoration of their own. But when long-buried secrets
break through the soil and the truth unfurls, will it threaten their
budding relationship—and the very future of the farm?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

My Review: 5 Stars

It seems to be common for people, as they are growing up, to wish for what they don't have. Beth dreams of leaving her small town to make it big in the city. And she learns the hard way that plans and dreams don't always work out the way one would hope and expect that they would. She finds herself right back smack dab in the middle of her former life, after a short stint in the city, and just exists. Until her sister, Molly, makes a rash purchase.

Beth and Molly are so different from one another and from what I gathered, they didn't always get along really well because of those differences. Now that they are adults, they are each able to embrace themselves and complement and accept each other in ways they never could have imagined. I love the sibling friendship and camaraderie, as it really felt true to life.

Another element to the book that I loved is Drew. He has a secret and is an enigma for sure. I love how the mystery unraveled, especially since that piece to the story was light and was an invisible force that connected Drew and Beth. It's such a treat to have some depth to their budding attraction.

This is the type of book that really invokes the warm-fuzzy feel goods. The setting is as comforting as a security blanket and the characters are rich, complex, and flawed, with great potential for growth. I was completely drawn into the book and loved it all.

Content: mild romance; mild violence; moderate+ religious elements.

*I received a copy to review, which had no influence on my thoughts and opinions.*